Small Business Loans for UK SMEs – Compare Lenders Fast

Summary: Fast Business Loans connects UK limited companies and growing SMEs with lenders and brokers who can provide business loans and finance from £10,000 upwards. We’re an introducer — not a lender or adviser — and our free, no‑obligation enquiry helps match your business to the most suitable finance partners quickly. Complete a short Free Eligibility Check to get personalised introductions: Get Started – Free Eligibility Check.

Why UK Small Businesses Use Fast Business Loans

Searching dozens of lenders wastes time. Fast Business Loans saves it. We take a short enquiry and use your details to match your company with brokers and lenders who specialise in your sector and loan size. Our service is free, anonymous at first and designed to increase the chance of a suitable offer without unnecessary credit checks.

• Save time: One quick enquiry connects you to multiple, relevant finance partners.
• Sector specialists: We match you with lenders who understand industry cashflow cycles and asset needs.
• No obligation: You receive offers and decide whether to proceed — there’s no pressure to accept.

Get Matched in Minutes – Free Eligibility Check

What is a Small Business Loan?

A small business loan is finance provided to companies to support working capital, purchase equipment, expand premises, refinance debt, or cover seasonal shortfalls. Loans may be secured (backed by business or director assets) or unsecured. Fast Business Loans does not lend money — we introduce your business to lenders and brokers who will assess and, if appropriate, offer terms.

Decisions are subject to lenders’ affordability and credit assessments; many partners use soft searches during initial checks but full credit checks only happen with your agreement.

Types of Small Business Finance We Can Introduce

Our lender and broker panel covers a wide range of options. Below are common types of finance, typical amounts and who they suit.

• Unsecured business loans — Typical amounts: £10,000–£250,000. Terms: 1–5 years. Suits: established SMEs needing working capital without asset security. Lenders request accounts and director details.
• Secured business loans — Typical amounts: £25,000–£5m+. Terms: 1–20 years. Suits: property-backed borrowing or larger capital projects. Lenders require valuations and company accounts.
• Asset & equipment finance — Typical amounts: £10,000–£1m. Terms: 1–7 years. Suits: machinery, vehicles, IT. Lenders often take a charge over the financed item.
• Invoice finance — Typical advance: 70–90% of invoices. Term: ongoing facility. Suits: companies with unpaid invoices needing immediate liquidity. Lenders review debtor profiles and turnover.
• Merchant cash advances / card finance — Advances based on card takings. Suits: hospitality and retail with strong card volumes. Repayments tied to daily or weekly sales.
• Revolving credit and overdrafts — Flexible access to funds up to an agreed limit. Suits: seasonal cashflow management; lenders look at bank statements and turnover.
• Short-term / bridging loans — Typical amounts: £10,000–£2m. Terms: days to 12 months. Suits: time-sensitive opportunities or property transactions.

Not sure which suits your needs? Complete a short form for tailored matches: Explore Your Options – Free Quote.

Our Simple Enquiry-to-Funding Process

We designed a fast, transparent process so you can focus on running your business.

1. Tell us about your business — A short form asks company name, industry, trading history, funding amount sought and preferred contact method.
2. We introduce trusted brokers and lenders — Based on your details, we share information with selected partners who can help.
3. Discuss tailored offers — Brokers/lenders contact you to clarify needs and prepare quotes.
4. Choose the right deal — Compare offers, check full terms and proceed directly with the provider you choose.

Start the quick enquiry (takes under 2 minutes): Start Your Enquiry.

Eligibility Snapshot for Small Business Loans

Eligibility varies by lender, but common requirements include:

• Minimum trading length: many lenders consider businesses trading for 12+ months; specialist options exist for newer companies.
• Turnover and profitability: requirements differ by product — some lenders prioritise consistent turnover, others consider future contracts.
• Director credit histories: adverse personal credit can affect some applications, but alternative lenders and brokers may still present options.
• Documents typically requested: company accounts (or management accounts), business bank statements, ID for directors, and a brief use-of-funds statement.

Being declined by one lender doesn’t mean every lender will refuse — our panel includes alternatives. Check your eligibility now: See If You Qualify Today.

Costs, Rates & Responsible Borrowing

Rates and fees are driven by the loan type, term, lender risk appetite and your business profile. Typical cost drivers include:

• Risk profile: shorter trading history or weaker cashflow usually equals higher rates.
• Security: secured loans often offer lower interest but require assets as collateral.
• Fees: arrangement, broker, valuation or early repayment fees may apply. Always confirm total cost and APR.

Example (illustrative only): a £50,000 unsecured loan over 3 years at a 12% interest rate with a 2% arrangement fee will have a higher total cost than a secured loan at 7%. Your matched broker/lender will provide a personalised breakdown before you commit. Borrow responsibly — consider affordability under varied scenarios.

Industries We Commonly Support

We connect businesses across many UK sectors with specialist finance providers who understand the nuances of each industry:

• Construction & trades
• Hospitality, restaurants & pubs
• Retail & e‑commerce
• Logistics & transport
• Manufacturing & engineering
• Healthcare & clinics
• Agriculture & food production
• Technology and scaling SMEs

For a broad guide to available solutions, see our pillar resource on small business loans, or get a tailored match now: Match with a Sector Specialist.

Success Stories & Social Proof

Here are anonymised examples to show how introductions can help.

• Independent café in Manchester — secured a £75,000 unsecured loan via a broker on our panel to fund a kitchen refit and seasonal stock.
• Regional engineering firm — arranged £250,000 asset finance for CNC machinery, preserving working capital while upgrading equipment.
• Online retailer — obtained invoice finance to unlock £120,000 tied up in receivables and support peak season stock purchases.

These are real‑world examples of how the right introduction can simplify funding. Ready to get your own quote? Get Quote Now.

How We Stay Transparent, Secure & Clear

Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects businesses with lenders and brokers. We are not a lender and do not give regulated financial advice. Our service is free to use; we only send your details to selected partners who can help with your request.

• Your enquiry is not an application and normally does not affect your credit score.
• We share information only with partners relevant to your request; you will be contacted by them directly.
• Data is handled securely; see our Privacy Policy and Terms for details.

Submit your enquiry securely: Submit Enquiry Securely.

Small Business Loan FAQs

Ready to Check Your Eligibility? Get Started

Ready to Explore UK Small Business Loan Options?

Fast Business Loans helps you get matched quickly with lenders and brokers who understand your sector and funding needs. It’s free, fast and without obligation. Complete a short enquiry so we can introduce your business to the right partners — responses often arrive within hours.

Get Quote Now – Free Eligibility Check

Footer compliance statement

Fast Business Loans is an introducer that connects businesses with finance brokers and lenders. We do not provide loans or regulated financial advice. Eligibility and lending decisions are made by the brokers and lenders we introduce. Consider independent advice to ensure any finance solution is suitable. See our Privacy Policy and Terms for full details.

1) Is Fast Business Loans a lender and how does it work?
No — Fast Business Loans is an introducer that matches UK limited companies and SMEs with vetted brokers and lenders via a free, no‑obligation eligibility check.

2) Will completing the Free Eligibility Check affect my credit score?
No, the enquiry is not an application and doesn’t affect your credit score, and any full credit checks by a lender only happen later with your consent.

3) How fast can I get a small business loan in the UK?
You’ll typically be contacted within hours during business times, and with the right documents some facilities fund in days while others take a few weeks.

4) What loan amounts and terms can I explore?
Our partners consider finance from around £10,000 up to several million with terms ranging from a few months to 20 years depending on product and security.

5) Am I eligible for a small business loan?
Eligibility varies, but many lenders prefer 12+ months’ trading, consistent turnover and fair director credit, with alternatives available for newer businesses.

6) What documents do I need to prepare?
Commonly requested items include company or management accounts, recent business bank statements, director ID and a brief use‑of‑funds statement.

7) What types of business finance can you introduce?
We can connect you to unsecured and secured business loans, asset and equipment finance, invoice finance, merchant cash advances, revolving credit/overdrafts and short‑term bridging loans.

8) Can start-ups and early-stage businesses apply?
Yes, specialist partners support start‑ups and newer SMEs based on business plans, revenue forecasts and personal affordability where relevant.

9) What if I’ve been declined elsewhere or have poor credit?
A decline by one lender isn’t final, as our panel includes alternative and specialist lenders with different risk appetites who may still consider your case.

10) What are typical costs, rates and fees?
Pricing depends on risk, security and term, and may include interest plus arrangement, broker, valuation or early repayment fees — always confirm the total cost and APR before proceeding.